Voters race to register in Pigeon Forge liquor vote

Blue Moose family sports grill is one of 11 restaurants serving liquor after a November 2012 election. (Source: Kyle Grainger, WVLT)

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- One day to go before voter registration ends for Pigeon Forge's liquor by the drink referendum and election workers are busy take applications.

As of Monday morning, there were 3502 registered voters, 153 more than were registered for the November 6th election.

"There's a been someone here every few minutes. A lot of property rights people," said Ronee Flynn, Director of Elections in Sevier County.

Flynn compared the attention this race is getting to that of a county wide race of sheriff or mayor.

"I think it's turned out to be an interesting election," said Flynn.

At the Sevier County Courthouse, register of deeds workers say they've filed several property transfers in the city. A check of records the past month shows several 1% property transfers for $1. This would make more people eligible to vote, but is legal.

"So according to the law, if someone is a property owner they can vote. As I said that's laid out in the charter as well as state law," said Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear.

The original election passed liquor by the drink by 100 votes. Those votes were thrown out by a Sevier County judge when it was revealed that nearly 300 people voted that shouldn't have.

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